Monthly Archives: November 2013

November 30, 1935 – The Silly Symphony Cock o’ the Walk is Released to Theaters

On November 30, 1935, the Silly Symphony Cock o’ the Walk was released to theaters. The music used in the film, “Carioca,” was taken from the RKO film Flying Down to Rio, which was fitting, as 1935 was the last year that United Artists would distribute Disney films, as it would move to RKO the following year after a long courtship. It was directed by Ben Sharpsteen, and marks the debut of composer Albert Hay Malotte.

The short begins with a parade, welcoming home the world’s champion boxer, Cock o’ the Walk, who struts his stuff on a float, followed by all of the hens in the town. One hick rooster is professing his love to a skinny hen, but her attention is lost when she catches the eye of Cock o’ the Walk, who asks her to dance with him. The two begin to dance, and all of the hens in town begin to gossip and join in the dancing. The entire barnyard begins to dance, including chicks, caterpillars, and peacocks.

Angered by the champion taking his girl, the hick rooster tries to break them up

As Cock o’ the Walk continues to dance with the hick’s girl, the hick decides to put an end to it, and the hens laugh as Cock o’ the Walk mocks him. The hick challenges the champion to a fight, with the hick working more to dodge the advances before getting pummeled. Cock o’ the Walk’s bag is knocked into the skinny hen’s lap as she cheers for the champion, and discovers that Cock o’ the Walk is not only married, but he has 14 baby chicks. Angered at this realization, she slaps him, and tried to revive the hick rooster with a kiss. His strength is renewed, and he beats Cock o’ the Walk, winning the fight and sending the champion flying into his trophies. The short ends with the hick rooster and his skinny hen dancing together happily before he lays a large kiss on her and lets out a loud rooster call.

November 29, 2007 – The Lion King Musical Celebrates Ten Years on Broadway

“The Lion King has touched live all over the world, and we are thrilled to celebrate this milestone.” – Thomas Schumacher, Producer for Disney Theatrical Group

On November 29, 2007, the musical version of The Lion King celebrated its tenth anniversary of being on Broadway with a gala performance. The celebration was delayed from its original November 11th date due to the 2007 Broadway Stagehands Strike, which closed all performances for a few weeks. The cast and crew had been celebrating with various activities, including appearances on Good Morning America, and the Empire State Building being lit up in yellow to commemorate the anniversary. By the tenth anniversary, over 45 million people worldwide had seen a performance of the show.

November 28, 1947 – The Donald Duck Short Film Chip an’ Dale Premieres in Theaters

“Doggone freezing weather. A guy never gets a chance to sleep around here.”

On November 28, 1947, the Donald Duck short film Chip an’ Dale premiered in theaters. This short is the first time the two chipmunks have been named, and also marks the first time they are Donald’s adversaries. The short was nominated for an Academy Award, but lost to Warner Brothers’ Tweetie Pie. The short was directed by Jack Hannah, with story by Dick Kinney and Bob North.

A snowstorm is raging outside, and inside his cabin, Donald is trying desperately to stay warm. He notices that the snow has come down his chimney and put out his fire. Out of firewood, he decides to go out with his axe and chop down a nearby dead tree, unaware that Chip and Dale live inside with their stores for the winter. The chipmunks watch as Donald takes off with their home, and follow him into his cabin. They sneak past him to reclaim their nuts, but are unable to grab them before Donald starts the fire. Once again, they try to sneak past him, and decide to put out the fire themselves.

As Donald enjoys the fire he’s made, he’s unaware that the two chipmunks are taking away the log

As Donald thinks he’s enjoying the fire, he suddenly notices the log walking right in front of him. He lets them walk out the door, taking the log as they go, and slams the door behind them. The chipmunks take another approach of dropping snowballs down the chimney, putting out the fire. Donald traps the two in a snowball and sends them flying down the roof before starting his fire again. Chip gets the idea of rolling a snowball down a steep hill on a clear collision course with Donald’s cabin. When Donald opens the door, the giant snowball sends him flying into his backdoor, encased in snow. The two chipmunks walk happily away with their log, but not before Dale is able to give Donald a well-placed kick in the rear.

November 27, 2009 – The Original Disney XD Series I’m in the Band Premieres

“I’m in the band, and we demand you hear the Weasel shout!”

On November 27, 2009, the original live-action Disney XD series I’m in the Band premiered with a sneak preview of its first episode, entitled “Weasels in the House.” The series follows the adventures of vintage rock band Iron Weasel as they try to make a comeback with their new band member and biggest fan, fifteen-year-old Tripp Campbell. The series lasted for two seasons with 41 episodes, ending its run on December 9, 2011. The premiere was Disney XD’s second highest rated series premiere for an original series. Although not a critics darling, it had a devoted fanbase that was disappointed when the series announced its cancellation. The series starred Logan Miller as Tripp Campbell, Stephen Full as Ash Tyler, Greg Baker as Burger Pitt, Steve Valentine as Derek Jupiter, and Caitlyn Taylor Love as Izzy Fuentes.

November 26, 1992 – The New “Santa Goofy” Balloon Premieres in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

“Santa Goofy took the spotlight in 1992, appearing as the “new” balloon in the year’s parade.”

On November 26, 1992, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in New York City, New York. One of the newest balloons introduced in the parade was of Goofy, who was dressed as Santa Claus, draped in a wreath and sporting Macy’s stars. This is Goofy’s first appearance in the parade, as Mickey had been introduced in 1934, and Donald Duck had been introduced in 1935. Goofy first appearance was accompanied by 6,000 tap dancers wearing Mickey Mouse Ears, setting a world record for the Largest Assembly of Tap Dancers.

November 25, 1933 – The Mickey Mouse Short Film Giantland is Released to Theaters

“Tell us a story, Uncle Mickey! Yes, tell us a story, Uncle Mickey!”

On November 25, 1933, the Mickey Mouse short film Giantland was released to theaters. This short is known as the precursor to the “Mickey and the Beanstalk” segment of the 1947 package film Fun and Fancy Free; there are also many similarities to this short and the 1938 short The Brave Little Tailor. The short film was directed by Burt Gillett.

The short begins with Mickey reading Jack and the Beanstalk to his nephews. They are rapt with attention as he begins the story, and soon, Mickey inserts himself into the story, and the group begins to imagine Mickey climbing up the beanstalk, entering Giantland. He arrives at the castle door and hears the singing of the King of Giantland. He hides in the keyhole to avoid being spotted, and enters inside, trying to hide in the sugar bowl. Mickey is accidentally scooped up with a sugar cube and place in the giant’s cup of coffee, but manages to escape. After hiding in a block of Swiss cheese, Mickey is then accidentally eaten by the giant, and works to keep himself from being swallowed. When the giant develops hiccups, he swallows a jug full of water, but Mickey is able to once again avoid being swallowed.

Mickey arms himself with pepper against the angry giant king

Mickey starts choking on the smoke from the giant’s pipe, and when the giant removes his pipe, he discovers the mouse. A chase ensues across the kitchen table, and Mickey ends up trapped in an empty bottle. The giant proclaims that he now has Mickey, but Mickey bites the giant’s finger and escapes, heading straight for the pepper shaker. He uses the pepper, and a spoon as a catapult, to cause the giant to sneeze. His sneezes are powerful enough to destroy the castle, and Mickey is sent flying to the ends of Giantland, where he slides down the beanstalk and burns it as the giant comes climbing down. The giant is sent tumbling to the ground, creating a massive hole where he falls. The scene then goes back to Mickey telling the story, saying that the giant went “down and down and down and down and down and down and down and down. And he came out in China.”

November 24, 2010 – Japan’s Version of the Beauty and the Beast Musical Celebrates Fifteen Years

“やさしさが ひらいてく 愛のとびら”

On November 24, 2010, the cast of the Japanese version of the hit musical Beauty and the Beast celebrated 15 years at the Shiki Natsu Theater in Tokyo. The Japanese version opened in 1995, becoming the fifth version of the hit show. At the time in 2010, the show had done over 3,800 performances, with over 3.7 million guests and grossing more than $239 million, making it one of the longest running and most profitable musicals in Japan. The show toured around the country, ranging from performances in Osaka, to Sendai. The show continues to run in Japan, with performances beginning at the Shin Nagoya Musical Theater in Nagoya.